Jeremy Hale walked downstairs without so much as a glance at Kaia Xavier's body.

By the time he reached Pinnacle Industries, Scarlett Summers was midway through the morning meeting.

The conference room was packed with mid- and senior-level staff. They watched the man who'd led their team all last year walk in — face drained of color — and rest his hand gently on Scarlett's shoulder. No hesitation. No pretense.

Everyone was still processing it when Jeremy spoke, ...